Interview with John Constable, Author of The Truth About Anton Van Zyl

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Truth About Anton Van Zyl?

This is the second novel in a series featuring PI Sol Nemo, who is based in South Africa. The first in the series was The Chanteuse from Cape Town. The genesis for the series was the fact that my wife is South African, and we visit the country every year. There is not much mystery/thriller fiction set in South Africa, and my novels are an attempt to redress the imbalance, which typically features so much that is set in the US, Europe, and Scandinavia.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Truth About Anton Van Zyl, what would they be?

It would be “I Will Survive.”

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

My favorite genre to read is classic crime and mystery fiction, like Raymond Chandler, Ross Macdonald, Eric Ambler, etc.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Precipice by Robert Harris, Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton, and Fifty Stories of the Great War.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

It was pulling all the threads together at the end of the book, describing how the political fallout came about and what was done to mitigate the damage and deflect criticism away from the ruling elite.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

Endless cups of tea, because writing is thirsty work.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Do unto others… Carpe Diem… I’m still here, you bastards!

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

One thing for readers to remember is: Wow! That is a great story and so well written.

John Constable is the author of the new book, The Truth About Anton Van Zyl

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